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Post by DawninCal on Jan 18, 2014 11:49:47 GMT -6
I have been commissioned to make a pendant out of a horse tooth. No worries, the horse that produced the tooth is fine and in good spirits. I'd like to clean the tooth up and was wondering if I could put it in my tumbler with stainless steel shot. Or, would dry tumbling with something like rice be a better option? I don't have grit, so I have to come up with an alternative. Have any of you ever polished teeth? If so, how did you do it? If not, I am open to suggestions. Thanks! Dawn
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Post by gbobmi on Jan 18, 2014 13:37:59 GMT -6
Um. I'm stumped, Dawn. I never heard of making a piece of jewelry out of a horse tooth. I'm sure you'll do something cool. Post it here when you're done!
Good luck!
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Post by DawninCal on Jan 18, 2014 13:40:11 GMT -6
Based on some internet research I've done this morning, it is currently soaking in peroxide. I just checked it noticed that the peroxide is loosening up some soft tissue that will have to be scraped off. Ick! Thanks for the vote of confidence, Gayle! You just made me realize that I should post a before pic - off to take a photo! Dawn
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Post by Michele on Jan 18, 2014 13:44:49 GMT -6
Dawn, I did a quick google search and found out horse teeth don't have enamel, so they are more porous than ours.
Maybe Kevin can help. He works with shark teeth.
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Post by DawninCal on Jan 18, 2014 13:47:50 GMT -6
I was hoping Kevin would chime in. I'm proceeding carefully and checking it every few minutes as I don't want to damage it. Thanks for the info about the enamel, Michele. Dawn
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Post by gbobmi on Jan 18, 2014 16:03:56 GMT -6
Ew. Make sure you get ALL that soft tissue, Dawn. You can use it in your morning eggs.
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Post by rocknwow on Jan 18, 2014 16:15:02 GMT -6
Normally when you work with bone you boil it to remove pathogens. Then let it dry. Then use bleach to whiten and remove any smell. Then boil a third time to remove the bleach smell. Then dry again. I suppose hydrogen peroxide could accomplish the same task.
The final step is to soak in tea or coffee to age it.
In the case of this horse tooth I would've recommended just boiling and letting it dry. Or even burying it in the ground for a few days depending on the look you wanted.
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Post by DawninCal on Jan 18, 2014 16:17:15 GMT -6
Gayle, I don't do eggs... The tooth is looking good! Soft tissue has been removed, the tooth has been burnished and polished with my dremel and it's all smooth and shiny now. I'm quite pleased - now to figure out how to make a bail of some kind. Dawn
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Post by rocknwow on Jan 18, 2014 16:19:24 GMT -6
If you do drill any holes remember to ventilate and wear a mask. I know one person, who carved, bone & ivory that may have died.
He was in a hospital for three days because of it. His death a few months later could've been a coincidence but who really knows...
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Post by gbobmi on Jan 18, 2014 19:10:39 GMT -6
Dawn, if you don't do eggs, try oatmeal. I hear the soft tissue adds that something "extra".
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Post by DawninCal on Jan 18, 2014 19:25:02 GMT -6
Thanks for the warning, Kevin. We can never hear that kind of thing too often. No drilling - I think I have an idea involving copper sheet and wire.
Gayle...
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Post by DawninCal on Jan 18, 2014 19:42:04 GMT -6
Here is a photo of the tooth before I cleaned it up: That purplish band around the middle is the soft tissue that I removed. I'm thinking about sending it to Gayle for HER eggs and oatmeal. Dawn
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Post by gbobmi on Jan 18, 2014 21:24:31 GMT -6
Hahahaha! You wish!!!!
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Post by Michele on Jan 18, 2014 21:51:14 GMT -6
I don't mean to be rude, but I hope it looks a lot better after you cleaned it.
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Post by DawninCal on Jan 18, 2014 22:33:09 GMT -6
Gayle, I still have your address from the time I sent you the orange feathers... It's looking great, Michele. I can't believe how pretty it polished up. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it! Dawn
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